452 HUMAN DENTITION. 



The human teeth are the same in number and in kind asj 

 those of the Chimpanzee and Orang, nor does Man differ 'm\ 

 this respect from any of the inferior catarhine Quadrumanes. 

 The human dental formula is therefore : — 



Incisors — ; canines — : premolars -— ; molars -— : = 32. 



2—2 1—1 ^ 2—2 3—3 



That is to say, there are on each side of the jaw, both above 

 and below, two incisors, (1) one canine, (2) two premolars, (3) and 

 three true molars. (4) They are more equal in size than in the Qua- 

 drumana ; no tooth surpasses another in the depth of its crown ; and 

 the entire series, which describes in both jaws a regular parabolic 

 curve, is uninterrupted by any vacant space. The incisors (PL 

 118, 119, fig. 2 and 3, i) are much smaller in proportion to the 

 molars than in the Chimpanzee and Orang ; in the upper jaw the 

 first exceeds the second in breadth, but in a less degree than in the 

 Chimpanzee. The posterior basal ridge is less prominent and 

 distinct in the middle incisor ; it is wanting in the lateral incisor, 

 the outer angle of which is entire, and touches the crown of the 

 canine : its fang is longer in proportion to the median one than in the 

 Chimpanzee ; in both incisors the fang is long, slender, and sub- 

 compressed. The most marked distinction between the dentition of 

 Man and that of the highest Quadrumanes is the absence of the 

 interval between the upper lateral incisor and the canine, and the 

 comparatively small size of the latter tooth (ib. c) : but its true cha- 

 racter is indicated by the conical form of the crown, which terminates 

 in an obtuse point, is convex outwards and flat or sub-concave within, 

 at the base of which surface there is a feeble prominence : the 

 conical form I find best expressed in the Melanian races, espe- 

 cially the Australian (5) : the canine is more deeply implanted, and 

 by a stronger fang than the incisors ; but the contrast with the 

 Chimpanzee is sufficiently manifest, as is shown in PI. 118. There 



(1) Denies incisores, primores. 



(2) Denies canini, cuspidati. 



(3) Denies molares anieriures, seu minores, s. spurii, s. bicuspidaii. 



(4) Denies molares posieriores, sen majores, s. veri, s. multicuspidati. 



(5) PI. 118, fig. 2, c. It is also very well marked in the dentition of the Mozambique 

 Negro, figured by F. Cuvier, 'Dents de Mammiferes/ PI, 1. 



